Bangalore, Jun 16: Legendary Konkani
singer, Wilfy Rebimbus, who has endeared himself to the Konkani speaking
people all over the world, especially of the Mangalorean origin, through his
multi-faceted activities as singer, lyricist, musician, drama and short
story writer, continues to cast a spell on the young and old alike and the
258th Wilfy Nite organized by the Konkan Catholic Association proved a big
hit and captured the hearts of the Bangalorean Konkani people.

As some of all-time hit songs and other
melodious numbers that had made the popular 'Konkan Kogulí (Nightingale of
Konkani) immortal and some lilting new songs were sung by his wife, Meena,
who is known as 'Konkan Maina,í and his children Vishwas and Veena as well
as some other singers like Ivan Sequeira, Babitha Pinto, Claude DíSouza,
Prem, Ivan Sequeira, Stany DíSouza and Munita Veigas, the jam-packed
Chowdaiah Memorial Hall came to life and helped many in the audience, who
had heard Wilfy when he was alive, go down memory lane.

The nearly three-hour-long musical extravaganza, interspersed with dances by
Studio 5678 artistes and mimicry and jokes by Melwyn D'Almeida, Jerome Moras,
Richard Sequeira (of MEMORY fame) along with Dolla Manglur organized by the
KCA that is nearing its golden jubilee in aid of its ambitious medical aid
fund, captivated the audience.

The Wilfy Nite got off to a singing start when the Jesuit priest Rev Fr
Stany DíSouza, Rector & Director of St Josephís MBA College, slightly
altered a song sung by the late singer in a melodious voice taking the
audience, including the Archbishop of Bangalore Dr Bernard Moras, who had
just returned after a month-long tour to US, Canada and Gulf countries, by a
pleasant surprise.

''I know I might be accused of plagiarisation," confessed Fr DíSouza,
pointing out that the ''blame" if any must be laid at the doors of the
legendary singer as he had helped in inculcating the habit of humming his
songs or modifying them to suit the occasion among almost all the Konkani
speaking people even though they may not be as talented as he was. ''All of
us, Konkani speaking people, especially of Mangalorean origin, owe a lot to
the maestro Wilfy as he taught us to live life in its myriad facets and
inspired almost all Konkanis either directly or indirectly to do something
for our mother-tongue and its culture," he said echoing the sentiments of
most people.

''I am not exaggerating when I say that Wilfy has inspired many a youngsters
to develop their innate talents and abilities and express themselves either
as writers, singers, dancers or dramatists or even to do something for
others, the very message that Jesus Christ taught his followers to love thy
neighbor," said Fr DíSouza. The Rector sang a stanza from another Konkani
song of Wilfy on motherhood, and said the several songs by the late singer
on the virtues and greatness of mother had helped the people to realize the
importance of their own mothers and how they selflessly nursed and nurtured
them. ''Wilfy is like the river Nile or our own Ganges, which has given rise
to innumerous tributaries. The rivers sustain civilizations and also enrich
the soil with fertility and thereby sustain the people in different forms,"
he said pointing out that the river Ganges is believed to be a confluence of
three rivers, including Yamuna. ''The third river is not visible but is
believed to be the famous Saraswati, which is underneath. The offshoots of
Wilfy are innumerous in diverse fields and all have contributed to enriching
society, Konkani language and culture," he said.

The Archbishop, in his presidential address, confessed that he was not a
singer like Fr Stany DíSouza. ''I have been and continue to be an admirer of
Wilfy Rebimbus and the singing by his wife Meena and children. I am
especially fond of many of Wilfy songs on mother and always like to hear and
enjoy listening," he said pointing out that Wilfyís songs also had reformist
messages and provided valuable insights into many social evils.

Warmly appreciating the diverse activities of the Konkan Catholic
Association since its inception 47 years ago and the initiative of its
founding members in constructing their own Konkan Bhavan building with a
spacious hall as well as providing hostel facilities to over 1500, the
Archbishop lauded the efforts in helping over 500 deserving poor students
through its Education Fund and also the gesture of raising funds through the
Medical Aid Fund to provide assistance to the needy patients. The
Associationís activities in organizing various Konkani programmes including
staging dramas and musical shows and other social service initiatives were
highly commendable, Dr Moras said.

One of the highlight of the Bangalore Wilfy Nite
show was a special song composed and sung by Wilfy's daughter Veena on
fatherhood, ''Bapaaycha Manaak," with lilting words, 'Mhaaka Janam Dillyaa
Dataara..í which incidentally fulfills a void or rather absence in Wilfyís
huge repertoire of songs on various subjects, including mother. ''Aami Mog
Kelo Sangeetacho," the song that became quite hit and marked the narration
of the life-story of Wilfy and his family, was the first rendering of the
Wilfy Nite and was sung by his illustrious children Vishwas and Veena. It
was followed by a mellifluous song sung by Meena, ''Kuhoo Kuhoo Karun Kogule.
''Haanv Tujya Mogaar Padlyaam," ''Veera, Veera," ''Moga Ye," ''Kadhel
Sambhaala Kasalo Khell Ho," ''Vanitha Vandana Shalini," ''Zuavana,"
''Drugs," ''Maatem Bhaor Paangor Dorina" and ''Zaago Zaagore" were some of
the songs that mesmerized the audience.

The angelic trio of girls from the Rego family Ė Aurelia, Ann and
Scholastica Ė rendered the all-time popular Wilfy song devoted to girls, ''Chali
Vorthotva," and thereby captivated the audience. With the 258th Wilfy Nite
being staged in Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka, it was perhaps in the
fitness of things that none other than Meena led a group song as the grand
finale with a song Ė Chandada Uru Bengaluru -- in Kannada, the Stateís
official language.

While Daijiworld.Com is the media partner of the show, Brilliant Printers
and ATC Publications were the main sponsors. The various sponsors and donors
were honoured on the occasion along with Meena Rebimbus. Konkan Catholic
Association President Naveen DíSouza welcomed the gathering while Secretary
Michael DíSouza proposed a vote of thanks. Lionel DíSouza compered the main
programme, while Lesli Rego did the honours during the entire music show
with aplomb.